The wake from the Citycats was driving us nuts and banging poor little Sea Otter about. The lines yank and jerk, the fenders get hammered and this happens every 10 minutes at peak hour commute!!! So sadly, we decided the girl should have a more peaceful home and clear fresh ocean water running under her bum. Southport Yacht Club Marina. Perfect, as Geoff has always wanted to be a member of the posh and beautiful club, only two blocks north of our unit at Main Beach.
So Thursday morning we waved 'Goodbye' to John and Amanda off 'Gingi' and motored back out of the river. It was a squally sort of day and made for some wild moments as the gust fronts from the squalls out in the bay saw the odd 35 knots! That is some of the stronger winds we have had in the whole passage. We eventually made it in late to Myora on North Stradbroke Island. By then the rain showers were getting more constant, but that was okay as the boat needed all the sea salt washed off her.
The next day was beautiful and it nearly tempted us to keep going.....it felt like cruising again. And yes after only a month back in Oz, we have itchy feet. Maybe the suburban life isn't for us??? We sailed most of the way, winding in and out of the little channels that take you down the inside of Moreton Bay. Some places were just fabulous little hideaways, others a bit shallow and tricky. However we enjoyed the whole day and anchored up at lunchtime at the northern end of South Stradbroke just below the spit. It was a tight little spot but seemed calm and peaceful. Hah! It was Friday afternoon when we noticed a flotilla of motor boats heading our way! It was a busy night till just after dark, then it settled down. Phew. A lovely calm night of being at anchor again. Ummm until Saturday morning when even more boats motored in!! Wow, the southern Moreton Bay area on a weekend is BUSY! Just as we were finishing our cereal, we hear a loud buzzing noise, a strange sounding motor, hmmm...not a normal outboard sound....we popped up on deck to look south and see a Paraglider motoring towards us, it was Ben!!!!! He circled us above like a sea hawk and it was a fantastic sight. However we didn't have our dinghy in the water so we couldn't go over to the ocean beach and chat. But thanks Ben, that was a buzz, literally!!!
The anchorage at North Straddie
The calm before the armada!
Ben flying over Sea OtterAfter Ben's fly over we picked up the anchor for the last leg south. Light winds saw us motor most of the initial part, then a light NE'er kicked in and we hauled out the Genoa. The waterways were busy with every shape and size of motor boat. But the day was fine and warm and it felt good to see the water get clearer as we headed further south. Now let me tell you that the area around the Seaway entrance on a weekend is NUTS!! There are boats going everywhere, parasailors, jet boats, cruise boats, whale viewing boats....you name it - it's out there! But luckily as we closed in on the marina area of Marina Mirage and Southport Yacht Club there is a posted 6 knot/no wash sign. It must be enforced because everybody was obeying it! I wish they would do that in the Brisbane river!!!
So here we are, bum in to the quiet berth at SYC, there is NO wake, a slight movement to let you know you are on water and a lovely sea breeze blowing in the ports. Ahhhhh now this is more like it.
